In this issue:

• Dear Worklife
• Feature article: Sorting out strategic leadership
• What's new on the web?
• What's happening at Worklife this month?

Latest HR stats

When asked to select the leadership behaviours most critical to their organisation's future success, executives chose strategic 94% of the time.

Source: Wall Street Journal  

Quote of the month

"You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."

Dwight D. Eisenhower 

A word from the MD, Peter Tobin

Being a leader means more than just managing people - it involves having empathy for your team, relaying yours and your corporation's vision to the team, displaying encouraging behaviour and of course, a good business acumen.  In this month's feature article, we explore the meaning of 'strategic leadership' and why, according to author Robert Kabacoff, this is the most effective in today's marketplace.

Welcome to another edition of Worklife News Alert.  In this issue, we answer your questions about conceptualising a career management strategy with your team members as well as link you to a blog that talks about internships for the over 40's.  Read on to find out more ...

We also have a special offer for workshop registrants for our Career Coach Certification Program (CCCP) which is being presented in Auckland on 27 and 28 October.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue of Worklife News Alert.  Also, don't forget to tell us what you think - why not email us with your comments and suggestions (click here to contact us now).

Dear Worklife

Each month Worklife answers your career development questions. To ask us a career development question, simply click here now. This month's Q&A looks at promoting a career planning and development strategy.

Q: My company is implementing a career management strategy, especially now that we need to keep our team engaged in the current economic climate.  Can you recommend how to promote this concept to our staff?

A: This is a very interesting question and there are many schools of thought on implementing a career management strategy.  Consider the following:

• Has the organisation tried career management previously?
• If yes, what worked and did not work?
• What do current team members understand about career management?
• Are senior executives aware of and supportive of career management?
• What is your culture like?

Answering these questions can help you to understand the types of messages that will be successful in your organisation.  Here are Worklife's top five points on career management strategy implementation:

1. Communication needs to be aimed at all team members using mediums that people use;
2. Endorsement from a senior executive assists with gaining buy-in;
3. Managers are the most crucial part of ensuring your strategy is successful;
4. Sell the benefits to the individual, teams, managers, and the organisation; and
5. Remember to analyse and communicate the positive aspects of return on investment (ROI).

Above all, ensure that your promotion strategy is realistic, honest, reflects the nature of your organisation, and that you can deliver.

Feature article: Sorting out strategic leadership: What exactly is strategic thinking - and how can managers do it better?

In the current economy, job seekers and employers alike are trying to identify ways to make themselves stand out amongst the competition.  According to Robert Kabacoff of Management Research Group ("MRG"), strategic leadership is one skill that will elevate you amongst the competition.

In a recent article written in The Wall Street Journal, Robert explores the definition, and ways of teaching, strategic thinking.  "The ability to maintain a focus on long range objectives, the process of how to achieve them over time, and an understanding of the implications of decisions for all involved, is the hallmark of a strategic thinker." The article was written after MRG conducted a global study of the leadership practices and effectiveness of 40,000 managers, executives in 144 countries and 27 industries.

To read more about the findings, and what it takes to be a strategic thinker, click here.

What's new on the web?
Check out http://internsover40.blogspot.com/

Interns Over 40 is a blog that is 100% dedicated to individual searching for a job in their later careers.  "Interns Over 40 is a re-careering business that inspires and equips its members with tools to evaluate career skills and preferences, and to find and start new careers."

Interns Over 40 focuses on finding future career solutions for individuals facing unemployment.  This includes resume advice, job search boards, research, networking tips and career management advice.  Visit the site to ready more today!

What's happening at Worklife this month?

Here is a look at what is happening this month:

Career Coach Certification Program (CCCP)
We are accepting registrations for our final CCCP workshops for 2009 in Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne.  CCCP is your opportunity to enhance your existing career coaching skills and develop new skills, using Worklife's Career Development Process, in this inspiring two-day workshop.  Our 2009 registration price of $1,500 (plus GST) includes:

• A set of Worklife's Card Sort Discovery Tools;
• A worklife Coaching Toolkit - our gift to you (valued at AU$295);
• All learning materials;
• Certificate of completion;
• One-on-one mentoring from your workshop facilitator;
• Ongoing support from Worklife; and
• Refreshments and meals during the workshop.

Auckland (27 and 28 October)
The fee for this workshop is NZ$1,500 and does not attract any local taxes.  Including Worklife's Coaching Toolkit, you receive over $4,000 in training and resources for $1,500.  And, as a final incentive, if you register before 20 October you can bring a friend for FREE! That's right, a two-for-one offer is currently available for the Auckland workshop.

To find out more about CCCP in Auckland, click here.
To register for CCCP in Auckland, click here.

Sydney (9 and 10 November)
Registering before 16 October attracts an 'early bird' discount of 10% off registration fee and referring friends, colleagues, and family who also register and attend attracts further discounts.

To find out more about CCCP in Sydney, click here.
To register for CCCP in Sydney, click here.

Melbourne (23 and 24 November)
Registering before 30 October attracts an 'early bird' discount of 10% off registration fee and referring friends, colleagues, and family who also register and attend attracts further discounts.

To find out more about CCCP in Melbourne, click here.
To register for CCCP in Melbourne, click here.

One-day job readiness workshop
This workshop is ideal for anyone that is considering a new role or is already on the job-hunt. Presented on the following dates:

Brisbane: 20 October and 17 November
Melbourne: 21 October and 18 November
Sydney: 22 October and 19 November

Seats are limited for this workshop to ensure 1:1 attention from our facilitator.

To find out more about Job Readiness, click here.
To register for the Job Readiness workshop, click here.

Workshops for Individuals
Other workshops for Sydney only include:

My Career Development Journey (1-day)
6 October, 9am to 5pm
3 November, 9am to 5pm

For more information about My Career Development Journey, click here.
To register for the My Career Development Journey, click here.

Career Health Check (3 hours)
6 October, 6pm to 9pm
3 November, 6pm to 9pm

For more information about Career Health Check, click here.
To register for the Career Health Check, click here.

Manager as the Career Development Coach (1 day)
7 October, 9am to 5pm
4 November, 9am to 5pm

For more information about Manager as a Career Development Coach, click here.
To register for the Manager as the Career Development Coach, click here.

Life Planning (1 day)
8 October, 9am to 5pm
5 November, 9am to 5pm

For more information about Life Planning, click here.
To register for Life Planning, click here.

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